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MEMBER DIARY

Why Can’t Obama Be More Like His Daughters?

It’s not always easy to get two persons to agree on something, much less getting Congress to agree on any major issue that’s especially divisive and has enormous stakes. So, in a certain way, I can sympathize with the president for feeling frustrated by his inability to get Congress moving on some important issues. But when Obama recently scolded the Congress for failing to get something moving on the debt ceiling deal, telling them that his daughters always complete their homework in a prompt and timely manner.

He questioned why it is that Congress routinely dilly-dallies on important legislation while his daughters have figured out how to finish their homework in a prompt and timely manner.

“Malia and Sasha, generally, finish their homework a day ahead of time,” Obama said. “They don’t wait until the night before. They’re not pulling all-nighters — they’re 13 and 10.”

He added: “You know, Congress can do the same thing. If you know you’ve got to do something, just do it.”

In my opinion, it’s a poor comparison. Malia and Sasha, bless their childish innocence, are only kids and they don’t have to deal with a hundred other kids in order to meet their homework deadlines. Congress, on the other hand, is full of supposedly grown up adults entrrusted with the responsibility of passing laws and other duties enumerated in the Constitution. Naturally, it’s expected to see some friction and deeply held suspicions toward the other party. Let’s face it, the version of bi-partisanship nowadays in Washington usually consists of a party wishing the other party to lay down, roll over, and play dead. Okay, maybe not, but while bi-partisan support is doable, it’s rare to see that.

Nonetheless, if Obama is going to scold the Congress for failing to fulfill its own legislative duties, how about Obama scolding himself for failing his executive duties? He has an obligation to make sure America is put on the path to prosperity and remaining on the top of the world for as long as humanly possible. But since the beginning of his presidency, he has pushed through a $787 billion stimulus package, which failed to lift the economy out of its slump; tripling the national debt; going on a spending spree that we can’t afford; putting his own signature on Obamacare, a very expensive health care program that will bankrupt us eventually; the unemployment rate still hovers above 8%; and his failed energy policy mostly consists of higher gas prices and more dependence on foreign oil. There are other failures that can be listed, but suffice to say it’s exactly why Obama is often labeled as Mr. Empty Suit.

So, with all due respect, Mr. Empty Suit, it’s far better for America if you actually did your homework and governed us in a responsible manner. Perhaps you could learn one or two lessons from your own daughters.